That boom? Just bowling upstairs

Leominster author's new book aims to give kids comfort

Mia Charpentier with her new chilldren's book, "Boom Boom Went the Thunder," at her office in Leominster Tuesday. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

LEOMINSTER -- When Mia Charpentier's oldest daughter was born in 1999, she found herself studying all her emotions and behaviors.

Charpentier continued watching when two more daughters were born.

She's used her observations and experience as a licensed mental-health therapist to write the children's book, "Boom Boom Went the Thunder."

Tate Publishing printed the book this spring.

"I was ecstatic," Charpentier said Tuesday.

The idea for "Boom Boom Went the Thunder" came from her then-3-year-old niece, who asked where does the sun come from after the rain goes away.

"That one question motivated me to write the book," Charpentier said.

She wrote the story under the pen name Miucha, which is the name her grandfather used for her as a child.

Mia Charpentier talks about her new children's book, "Boom Boom Went the Thunder," at her office in Leominster Tuesday. The boy in the book is afraid of thunderstorms, so his mother attempts to change his thought process so it isn't scary.
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

It's the tale of a little boy who's frightened of thunder so his mother tries to turn around his anxiety and fears to make it a pleasant experience.

"She uses the phrase, 'God is just bowling,'" Charpentier said.

The tome is directed toward children 2 to 6 years old.

Charpentier has penned drafts of five other children's books.

"Like any parent there were messages to get across to your children and I find writing children's books is a way of getting those messages across in a more creative way," Charpentier said.

All her books have underlying clinical themes.

As a cognitive behavioral therapist she works with people to alter their thoughts, perceptions and beliefs to improve their behavioral outcomes.

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When she's preparing to write a book, Charpentier keeps paper handy and writes out the rhymes as she goes through her daily routines.

When she starts writing the process goes quickly.

"It takes a couple of days," she said. "Once I get a thought I just sit down and write."

She submitted "Boom Boom Went the Thunder" to Tate about five years ago on the recommendation of her sister-in-law Patty Caisse. The Oklahoma publishing company hired an artist to illustrate the 24-page story.

The boy in the book is afraid of thunderstorms, so his mother attempts to change his thought process so it isn't scary.

Hearing that God is bowling, the mother and son cheer and dance every time they hear the thunder because it sounds like He got a strike.

The book comes around to explain how the sun returns following a storm.

The book is available on Amazon for $15.

Charpentier also plans to hold a book signing session at the Johnny Appleseed Festival Sept. 27 where it will be available for $12. Half the proceeds from the book signing will be donated to Karen's Closet, the charitable group that provides clothes and school supplies to underprivileged children.

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